Police officers in Sutton will be stepping up their uniform patrols around shops and parks during the summer to keep children safe whilst on their school holidays. Safer Neighbourhoods Inspector Neil Tyre said he hoped the extra police presence would help send out a message to criminals that they would be caught if they targeted young people.

The operations will include the shopping centres in Sutton, Wallington, Carshalton, Cheam and Worcester Park and at parks and open spaces throughout the borough. Officers from local Safer Neighbourhoods Teams would be joining officers from Sutton’s Safer Parks and Safer Transport Teams on patrol during the day and evening.

Insp. Tyre said: “Young people these days seem wedded to their mobile phones, ipods and MP3 players and carry them around wherever they go. We will be out and about to make sure youngsters are safe. We have one of the safest boroughs in London and we are determined to keep it that way.” However, he said there are a number of steps youngsters could take to keep themselves safe. These include:

* Tell your parents or a grown up where you are going, who you are going with and when you are likely to return

* Appear confident in the street and look like you know where you are going

* Walk with a friend whenever possible

* Keep your phone out of sight - and set it to vibrate or discreet - to reduce the chance of attracting attention

* Don’t walk and talk/text into your mobile phone - because you need to know what’s going on around you

* Shout loudly and call police immediately on 999 if you are in danger

Insp. Tyre added: “Remember you can call 999 in an emergency even if you have no credit on your mobile.”